My Easy 3-Ingredient Cocktail Is Perfect for a Crowd

It’s low ABV and can easily be made as a mocktail.

By
Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
Laurel Randolph
Laurel has over 10 years of experience developing recipes and writing about food. She is the author of 4 cookbooks, including the bestselling "The Instant Pot Electric Cookbook."
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Published December 18, 2025
Laurel Randolph
Three cranberry ginger spritz cocktails garnished with cranberries lime slices and a sprig of rosemary

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hausser
  • This Cranberry-Ginger Spritz is easy to batch for parties with just three ingredients.
  • You can offer both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions of the drink using the same simple recipe.
  • Spicy ginger beer gives each glass a lively kick and the drink looks festive thanks to cranberry or cherry juice.

Whenever I’m hosting a party (or tasked with bringing the drinks), I often think big and boozy. Batched negronis or a bourbon punch? So fun! But in recent years, I’ve adjusted my thinking on party sips and follow a couple of key rules: consider the audience and consider the length of the party. Have I accidentally gotten a few friends a little too tipsy? Yes, yes I have. And I’ve learned my lesson.

I now try to supply a variety of low-ABV options as well as non-alcoholic options. That way, everyone feels included and guests can easily pace themselves. This is especially important for holiday gatherings and New Year’s Eve, where friends and family can stick around for hours. As a host, I want to send everyone home feeling good, not like they’ve been run over by a train.

Luckily, I’ve got the perfect drink recipe for my holiday get-togethers this year. It’s low ABV but still feels festive and special, and it’s super easy to make alcohol-free so anyone can enjoy. It also happens to be incredibly easy. No need to make simple syrup, squeeze citrus, or muddle. Just combine three packaged ingredients and call it a day.

A pitcher of cranberry ginger spritz with garnished glasses nearby displayed on a table

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hausser

The Three Ingredients

If you’re making this for a booze-drinking crowd, the key ingredient is sparkling wine. I say sparkling wine and not champagne, because don’t you dare put champagne into this drink. It is too precious for a mixed drink—save it for midnight on NYE. Brut prosecco is ideal here. I tend to go with something around the $15 range, like LaMarca or Mionetto.

For both versions, you’ll need either unsweetened cranberry juice or unsweetened cherry juice. Cranberry is a little tarter, but both work great and feel season-appropriate. They also make the drink a lovely reddish-pink color. If all you can find is sweetened juice, I suggest adding fresh lime juice to taste to up the tart factor a bit.

Finally, you’ll need ginger beer. I like spicier versions, like Trader Joe’s seasonal Triple Ginger Brew, Q Mixers Ginger Beer, or Fever-Tree Ginger Beer.

How to Make It Non-Alcoholic

To make this cocktail a mocktail, simply replace the sparkling wine with more ginger beer and leave out the bitters. It’s still super delicious and a lovely color, too.

Two glasses of cranberry ginger spritz garnished with cranberries lime slices and rosemary served on a textured surface

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Phoebe Hausser

More Light Sips

Cranberry Ginger Spritz

Prep Time 5 mins
Total Time 5 mins
Servings 8 servings

The wide range in the amount of ginger beer will depend on if you’re making this low-ABV or non-alcoholic. If you’re making the non-alcoholic version, you’ll need the full 48 ounces.

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Ingredients

  • 16 dashes angostura bitters, optional

  • 16 ounces (2 cups) unsweetened cranberry or tart cherry juice

  • 24 to 48 ounces (3 to 6 cups) ginger beer

  • 1 (750mL) bottle sparkling wine, optional

  • Whole cranberries, rosemary sprigs, and/or lime or orange wedges for garnish

Method

  1. Assemble:

    In a large pitcher or punch bowl, add the bitters (if using) followed by the cranberry or cherry juice. Prep your glasses by adding ice and any garnishes.

    Just before serving, add the ginger beer (use 24 ounces for the alcoholic version, or 48 ounces for the non-alcoholic version) and, if using, the sparkling wine. Gently stir, then pour into glasses and serve.

    Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
125 Calories
0g Fat
32g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 125
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 49mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 32g 12%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 31g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 15mg 75%
Calcium 7mg 1%
Iron 0mg 3%
Potassium 74mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.